by Chua Hian Hou

THE new Apple iPhone 3G S, which goes on sale this Friday, will cost less than its predecessor. It will also offer those who bought the previous model a chance to trade it in for the new handset without having their contracts extended.

Singapore Telecommunications, the iPhone's exclusive local distributor, on Monday announced that the iPhone 3G S will be given free to those who sign up for its high-end $205 a month plan, while those who get its new, lower-priced $39 a month plans will have to pay $678.

It will also allow SingTel iPhone 3G users who have been with the company for at least six months to upgrade to the new model, without having to extend their contract lengths. Their existing handsets will have a trade-in value of up to $400.

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